Packable Garment Convertible to a Carry-On Bag

ABSTRACT

A convertible garment carry-on bag is a clothing article that most resembles an outer garment in nature, whose novel aspect is the ability to convert into a travel bag. In garment form, the article visibly bears large pockets in the front and back to store various articles. The garment also features side panels with zippers that allow a wearer to expand the garment. Handles integrated along the length of the back of the garment are retrieved from concealed pockets. When folded at approximate belt level, with handles released, the garment is now a carry-on bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a non-provisional application claiming priority under 35 USC 119 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/671,122 filed on May 14, 2018.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to convertible garments. More particularly, this patent specification relates to novel article of clothing convertible to a bag that facilitates the ability of the user to hold and carry clothing and personal articles for travel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garments convertible to carrying bags have long been appreciated for their utility and practicality.

Such garments typically include a plurality of pockets used for storage purposes.

Prior art convertible garments also typically include belts, buckles, sleeves as well as other separable parts in order to convert the garment into some form of carrying device.

However prior art does not address the comfort of the wearer when the pockets are filled with articles, as well as the inconvenience of the separable parts when such are not in use.

Neither does prior art address the problems related to stress in the garment when in bag configuration due to the manner of attaching straps to the bag that render same vulnerable to damage and eventual ruin.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing with a plurality of pockets located in the front, on the back, and the inside portions thereof, to allow for the spread and distribution of articles being carried.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a garment embodiment with an expansion feature, elegantly concealed within a fastening mechanism, which when opened, relieves the wearer of the feeling of being constricted when the storage compartments are full.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide an article with handles that are integral to the garment, thereby preventing the handles from being pulled off due to the weight of the articles when garment is in its bag configuration.

It is the fourth object of the present invention to provide an article elegant in construction, without removable parts, and easily convertible from garment to bag and back again.

It is the fifth object of the present invention to provide an article manufactured out of natural or synthetic material or a combination thereof, that is comfortable to wear in both warm or cool weather, yet rugged and durable in construction such that it maintains its overall appearance when carrying a large load of articles.

It is the sixth object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing adapted to carrying a large quantity and wide variety of articles as normally carried for travelling, as well as outdoor activities, including but not limited to, such as hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, or in pursuit of professional activities such as a photography and filmmaking, or everyday activities like shopping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrated herein as an example and are not limited by the accompanying drawings, in which like elements may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the external surface of the packable convertible garment carry-on in its garment configuration.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the external surface of the back of the packable convertible garment carry-on in its garment configuration.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the external surfaces of the packable convertible garment carry-on in its garment configuration, devoid of any other parts.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the internal surfaces of the packable convertible garment carry-on in its garment configuration.

FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of the packable convertible garment carry-on in its garment configuration showing its expansion mechanism in its closed presentation.

FIG. 5B is a side elevational view of the packable convertible garment carry-on in its garment configuration similar to FIG. 5A, but showing its expansion mechanism in the open presentation.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the packable convertible garment carry-on after its conversion into its bag configuration.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the packable convertible garment carry-on after its conversion into its bag configuration, but showing the side opposite to that of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the external surface of the packable convertible garment carry-on in its garment configuration, illustrating the converting operation of the present invention from a garment embodiment to a bag embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the external surface of the packable convertible garment carry-on in its garment configuration showing the location of the concealed parts.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the packable convertible garment carry-on in the bag configuration showing the carrying handles, as well as the straps.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary frontal elevational view of a flapped pocket, with its flap fastened.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary frontal elevational view of the flap portion of the flapped pocket in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary frontal elevational view of the flapped pocket in FIG. 11, illustrating the flap in raised position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Described herein is a Packable Garment Convertible to a Carry-On Bag, hereinafter referred to as “combination garment/bag”, which, in either embodiment, can serve as a storage and carrying device. The garment embodiment, hereinafter referred to simply as “garment”, can be designed for various specific applications such as, for example, travelling, hiking, hunting or fishing or for any other special purpose. In the bag embodiment, hereinafter referred to simply as “bag”, the combination garment/bag can be configured to take the form of a tote bag, a satchel, a duffle bag or a backpack. The combination garment/bag may be made of flexible materials, such as natural or synthetic fabrics, or leather or leatherette. The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention in the form of a garment 10. FIG. 1 shows the front of the garment 10 comprising a pair of opposed front panels 12, each joined at the top 44 to the back portion 30, as well as on the sides to the side panels 42, which in turn are joined to the back panel 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3. The front panels 12 join together, or separate, in the opposite sides of the ones joined to the side panels 42, by a fastening device 24 such as zipper, as illustrated in this example. It will be appreciated that the fastener may comprise hook and loop or similar devices.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the garment 10 comprises pockets 14 and 16 comprising gussets 26 to allow for expansion when necessary. Such pockets comprise closures such as zippers, snaps, buttons, flaps or hook and loop devices. In this example, aside from the flap closure 18, the pocket 16 is also shown with a hook and loop fastening mechanism 82 as illustrated in FIG. 13.

When flaps 18 are used as closure mechanism, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the flap itself may be configured to be a pocket 18, as illustrated in FIG. 12, with it's own fastening device, such as for example, a zipper 28.

FIG. 2 illustrates a pocket 32 sewn on the upper section of the back panel 30 that extends from armhole 48 to armhole 48. On the lower section of the back panel 30 is sewn a pocket 36 upon which is sewn, i.e., superposed, another pocket 38. The reason for superposing pocket 38 on top of pocket 36 is to increase the storage volume of the garment 10. FIG. 2 further illustrates an exposed portion of the carrying mechanism 34, as two short strips in the middle of the back 30 at the back of the garment 10.

In FIG. 3 is shown the front 12 and back 30 surfaces of the garment 10, devoid of any other parts, to illustrate in detail the side panels 42. As can be appreciated in FIG. 3, a zipper 20 may be fastened or unfastened to reveal or conceal the side panels 42. FIG. 5A illustrates the garment 10 with the side panel 42 concealed by a fastened zipper 20. FIG. 5B illustrates the garment 10 with zipper 20 unfastened revealing the side panel 42, thus presenting the garment 10 in the expanded configuration. The purpose of this expansion is to allow for a more comfortable fit when necessary.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the garment 10 comprises an interior lining 22, which on the lower back portion comprises a pocket 50 extending from one side panel 42 to the other side panel 42 and down to the bottom 46 of the garment 10, with a fastener 54, shown as a zipper in this example.

As further illustrated on FIG. 4, on the interior surface, which is the reverse side of the front panels 12 shown in FIG. 1, the convertible garment 10 further comprises a plurality of pockets such as large pockets 56 on the upper portion extending from the top 44 of the garment 10 to proximate halfway down the panel and from the side panel 42 to proximate an inch of the zipper 24. In this embodiment, a zipper 58 serves to secure articles stored within the pocket 56. As well, the convertible garment 10 comprises a plurality of small pockets 60, 68 and 84, superposed on top of the pocket 56, which may serve to more easily isolate and secure small articles that would otherwise be difficult to locate if stored within the larger pockets. Such pockets comprise fasteners, such as a zipper 62, as shown in this example. The elongated pockets 68 may serve to store portable electronic devices, while elongated pockets 84 may serve as pen holders, and loops 64 and 66, may serve as holders of cables or accessories, which may be used in conjunction with articles stored in other pockets. As further illustrated in this example embodiment, at the bottom of the reverse side of the front panel 12, the convertible garment 10 comprises large, deep pockets 52 extending from the zipper 24 to the side panel 42.

FIG. 9 illustrates two pockets 32 and 76, where pocket 32, sewn on upper half of the outer shell 30, opens at the top of the garment 10 at proximate armpit level, and where pocket 76, sewn on lower half at proximate hip level and extends to the bottom 46 of the outer shell 30, opens at the bottom of the garment 10. The top pocket 32 holds and conceals the top part of the carrying mechanism comprising handles 34, and the hook part of a fastening mechanism, which in this example embodiment is illustrated as a button 80. The bottom pocket 76, sewn under pocket 36, holds and conceals the bottom part of the carrying mechanism comprising handles 34, as well as straps 72, at the ends of which are sewn the loop parts 78 of a fastening mechanism which, when mated with button 80, serves to fasten the bag 70, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Further illustrated in FIG. 9 is a concealed loop 74, which together with the button 40, may further serve to fasten the bag, as illustrated in FIG. 6. It will be appreciated that the fastening mechanisms for the bag 70, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, may take other forms such as hook and loop devices, as well as snaps or zippers. In this example embodiment, the fastening mechanisms take the form of loops 74 and 78 and buttons 40 and 80. It will be further appreciated that the handles 34 run along proximate the length of the back 30 of garment 10 so that the weight of the bag 70 is spread over a wide surface. The reason for spreading the weight is to reduce the risk of tearing the garment/bag on single points of pressure, which could be the case if only the ends of the handles 34 were sewn on the garment 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, to convert the garment 10 to a bag configuration 70, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the bottom 46 of the garment 10 is folded forward and raised to meet the top 44 of the garment 10. The handles 34, illustrated in FIG. 9, one portion of which is concealed in the upper back pocket 32 and the other portion of which is concealed in the concealed pocket 76, are retrieved to form the bag 70, as illustrated on FIGS. 6 and 7.

Illustrated in FIG. 10 is the garment 10 in a bag configuration 70 viewed from the top when the bag 70 is held in closed position when the loops 78, attached to the straps 72 as illustrated in FIG. 9, are mated with the buttons 80, which are concealed in the top pocket 32.

While the foregoing describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art may suggest embodiments or examples that may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A packable garment designed to hold a traveler's belongings, the garment comprising: (a) an outer shell comprising two opposing front panels and one large back panel; (b) an inner lining comprising two opposing front panels and one large back panel corresponding to the respective outer shell panels; (c) a first pair of large pockets, integrated to the upper part of the front panels on the outer shell, with openings on the sides or top; (d) a second pair of large, deep pockets, integrated to the lower part of the front panels on the outer shell, with openings on the sides or top; said pocket further comprising flaps; (e) a third pair of large pockets, integrated to the upper part of the inner lining of the front panels, with openings on the sides or top; (f) a fourth pair of large, deep pockets, integrated to the lower part of the inner lining of the front panels, with openings on the sides or top; (g) pockets, extending the full width of the lower back of the garment, integrated on the back panel of the inner lining; (h) small pockets superposed on large pockets; (i) pockets integrated on the flaps of other pockets; (j) a large pocket, extending the full width of the upper part of the back of the outer shell, with opening at the top; (k) a large, deep pocket, extending the full width of the lower part of the back of the outer shell, with opening at the top; (l) a large pocket superposed over the pocket on the lower part of the back outer shell; (m) a large pocket, extending the full width of the lower part of the back of the garment, integrated to the bottom part of the back outer shell, with opening at the bottom;
 2. The packable garment in claim 1, wherein the pockets may comprise gussets; wherein said pockets comprise a closing mechanism selected from the group consisting of: a zipper, a hook and loop mechanism, a button and buttonhole or loop mechanism, a clasp and loop or hole mechanism, a magnet mechanism, a folding mechanism, or any combination thereof.
 3. The packable garment in claim 1, further comprising lateral sides, in the form of gussets, proximate to the sides of the wearer;
 4. The packable garment in claim 3, wherein the gussets may be in either folded or unfolded position along the sides of the garment; wherein the gussets are kept in the folded position by means of a fastening device selected from the group consisting of: a zipper, a hook and loop mechanism, a button and buttonhole or loop mechanism, a clasp and loop or hole mechanism, a magnet mechanism, or any combination thereof; wherein the gussets serve to expand the garment laterally by opening the fastener.
 5. The packable garment in claim 1, further comprising handles; wherein the handles are permanently joined to the garment by being sewn, on the outer shell, along the back of the garment; wherein said handles, in addition to the portion sewn to the outer shell, extends out from the top of the garment, as well as, from the bottom of the garment.
 6. The packable garment in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of straps; wherein the straps are permanently joined to the garment at one end; wherein the other ends of said straps, that are unattached to the garment, comprises a fastening mechanism selected from the group consisting of: a hook and loop mechanism, a button and hole or loop mechanism, a clasp and hole or loop mechanism, a magnet mechanism, or any combination thereof.
 7. The packable garment in claim 1, wherein the pocket on the top part of the back of the outer shell, with opening on the top, serves to hold the top handle in concealed position when the packable garment is in garment configuration;
 8. The packable garment in claim 1, wherein the large pocket integrated to lower part of the back outer shell, with opening on the bottom, serves to hold the bottom handle, as well as the straps, in concealed position when the packable garment is in garment configuration;
 9. The packable garment in claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanisms may comprise devices selected from the group consisting of: a hook and loop mechanism, a button and hole or loop mechanism, a clasp and hole or loop mechanism, a magnet mechanism, or any combination thereof.
 10. A convertible garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein said garment is a vest, a jacket, a sweater, a coat or a tunic.
 11. A convertible garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein said garment comprises a hood, a collar, or sleeves.
 12. A method of converting the packable garment from a garment into a bag by folding the garment from top to bottom, whereby the bottom of the garment meets the shoulder of the garment.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising releasing the handles from the top and bottom concealing pockets to serve as handles of the bag.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising releasing the straps from the bottom concealing pocket and introducing the unattached ends of said straps into the top concealing pocket such that the fastening mechanism, attached to the end of the straps, meets the fastening mechanism concealed in the top pocket, thereby closing the bag.
 15. The method of claim 13, may further comprise other closing mechanisms selected from the group consisting of: a button and loop or hole mechanism, a clasp and loop or hole mechanism, a magnet mechanism, and a rope or cord or strap tie mechanism, but are not limited to these.
 16. A bag as set forth in claim 13 wherein said bag is a tote bag, a shoulder bag, a duffle bag or a backpack. 